On January 30 the entire nation observed Martyr’s Day, with Ministers, MPs, legislators paying homage to the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi by laying wreaths and offering garlands to the statue of a national hero who sacrificed his life for the country’s independence. But, a former army official was pained to see that none offered even a garland to the Mahatma’s life-size statue at a circle near the bird sanctuary near Argan Talav in the Camp (Cantonment) Area in the city on that day.
On January 26, Vijay Lakshman Chavan, who retired as Assistant Executive Engineer from Military Engineering Service, spent the whole day near the statue till late evening. On Republic Day, none remembered this statue, which was dedicated to the people a couple of months ago. However, when he took a tea break and returned, he noticed that a small national flag had been tied to the statue. He was satisfied that at least someone remembered to show due respect to Gandhiji.
Again on January 30, he went to the circle and watched if any leader, at least from the Congress which, he said, had used the Mahatma’s name to its own glory, would come to offer a garland but only in vain. He was there till evening, cleaned the circle which was full of filth, including waste paper and plastic sachets and returned home with a heavy heart, not before offering a rose at the feet of Gandhiji’s statue.
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If we do not honour our national heroes, why should we install their statues in every nook and corner of the country? he asked.